Carlos Castaneda: Enigma of a Sorcerer (2004) User Reviews

Worst episode ever!

[stevenj-8 · 2/10 · 15 July 2007]

Having read most of Castenada's books and read many criticisms of his works I found the general theme of this documentary apt.

It is also the worst film-making I have seen. The psychedelic visuals are distracting and convey little useful information. It is as if the producer discovered a handful of effects on the mixing console and used them in the cheesiest way possible.

If you enjoyed the books at all this movie will add nothing. If you are trying to find some truth about the man, then the web is your ally. Enjoy his books for what you find in them - a bit of pithy philosophy, a lot of zen and a good yarn.

Goofy Film Hiding the Truth About a Cult Leader

[quitwastingmytime · 1/10 · 14 March 2021]

Castaneda was exposed as a fraud almost right away. He ripped off Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, mixed in some drugs-make-you-profound messages for the hippies, and peddled it to clueless whites searching for meaning in stereotypes about Natives.

Natives condemned Castaneda right away, especially the Yaqui and Mayas he lied about. He lost a lawsuit to a Zen master he ripped off "magical passes" from. He spent decades telling cult women they could gain enlightenment from ingesting his sperm (Seriously!)

He was making so much money, but he was sick of it. And his inner circle didn't want it to end, so they kept him prisoner his last decade. When he died, the "three witches" committed group suicide. Tensegrity kept peddling magical passes, but finally the cult self destructed.

The site Sustained Reaction is made up of cult survivors trying to cope with the wreckage he made of their lives. Some of them still insist he was a great man, just like this deluded incomprehensible film.

Both the film makers and the other most die hard cult followers do their best to never mention Castaneda being debunked, mocked, held up as a fraud, that anthropologists only mention his works as something to avoid. They will never mention his long list of obvious lies, his abuse of dozens of women, or the long list of ruined lives he left behind.

You won't learn anything from this film, or anything from Castaneda except self delusion.

bad Documentary

[imdb-9111 · 3/10 · 27 September 2007]

I live in Mexico, I have read Castaneda's books, and this "enigma of a sorcerer" is a bad film. You will know what is Carlos Castaneda by reading his books, and searching the web for info. This documentary does not offer any interesting or some good info.

This films wants to be like "What The Bleep" for the visual effects and the "panel experts" but with bad effects (any computer with a visual effects like Winamp or I-tunes do the same)

Also does not talk about consciousness or different consciousness states, maybe I think that could be a film that explore perception and different human (sorcerer) powers, but none of this.

All that you need is the books.

Even for the new people who wants to know about him, i do not recommend this film.

Carlos Mexico City

Cult Apologist Film for an Abusive Cult Leader

[HistoryFilmBuff · 1/10 · 21 July 2010]

What's most revealing about this film is what it leaves it.

It leaves out that Castaneda was exposed as a fraud repeatedly, first by American Indians and then by academia.

It leaves out the lawsuit by a Tai Chi master he ripped off and had to pay a huge settlement to.

It leaves out that his books and ideas have zip to do with any Native traditions.

It leaves out that instead they are cheesy ripoffs of eastern traditions, passed off as Mayan and Yaqui.

It leaves out that American Indians consider him an offensive exploitative racist, and any who fall his ideas naive fools.

It leaves out that most anthropology professors use him as an example of what NOT to do. IOW, don't make stuff up and pass off role playing fantasy as reality.

It leaves out that he formed an actual CULT and abused people by the hundreds.

It leaves out that he routinely told women they could ingest his wisdom by receiving his sperm into their bodies. And they often fell for it. Yes, your average Castaneda devotee really is that gullible.

Most of all, it leaves out how his cult self destructed. Castaneda got tired of the fraud by the end of his life. But his cult's inner circle wouldn't let him quit. Too much money in it. So they kept him a prisoner.

And then the three "witches" that were his inner circle committed group suicide. Truly sad, but also pathetic.

His followers went on to found Cleargreen. Cleargreen self destructed too. Lots of people ripped off, many abused, and the group fell apart.

Stay far FAR away from anyone whose into this dangerous nonsense.

What a Trip!

[pakled · 9/10 · 6 February 2006]

I like documentaries as a whole. I appreciate what goes into making them and the artistic qualities too. So I went with some friends to see this at their request. They read Carlos Castaneda's books, but I have not. So I didn't know what to expect. They tried to tell me about him and his literature and historical significance. After having seen this documentary, I must say that this was a complete trip! I totally enjoyed how since Castaneda was first on the scene in the hippie, free love era of the psychedelic sixties, the director captures this era perfectly. He does so with the use of extraordinary backgrounds behind the people speaking. He got some followers to speak as well as other authors and it was so intriguing. Usually, documentaries are cookie-cutter by nature; telling the facts: born this date, did this, accomplished this and died on this date. But this doc didn't follow that outline. The director wanted to focus on the pros and cons of the man and his teachings. Pretty much leaving the audience to think and make up their own ideas. It certainly made me go out and buy his books. Kudos! Highly recommend.